Chapter 45

Ethan's POV

I scrutinize the envelope Moana is holding before reluctantly accepting it. With cautious fingers, I tear it open and extract a crisply folded letter.

My pulse quickens as I unfold the paper, torn between disbelief and apprehension. What if this isn't a ruse? What if Spitfire truly has left me?

As I delve into the letter's contents, a weight settles in my chest. Exactly what Moana just told me Spitfire had said is the summary of what's in the letter.

Damn it.

"Sir," I brush past Moana, unwilling to entertain further devastation.

None of this is true. The letter is a fabrication. Spitfire would never abandon me. She's content here-with me.

Stepping outside, I snatch the Maybach's key and slide into the driver's seat, determination surging through me. I refuse to accept these falsehoods.

With the engine roaring to life, I peel out of my driveway onto the deserted road.

Spitfire would never.

I race to her apartment building, every heartbeat a thunderous echo of my anxiety.

Pulling up nearby, I stare at the looming structure, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

With a heavy heart, I reread the letter, feeling the weight of betrayal settle upon me like a suffocating blanket.

As I glance up at the building once more, something arrests my attention, freezing me in place.

There she is, Spitfire, her smile radiant as she converses with someone. I tear my gaze away, the sting of betrayal exacerbating my pounding headache.

But when I force myself to look again, my heart plummets. It's him-He-goat, her ex-lover.

I scour the letter once more, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. And then, as I observe them embracing each other, a bitter realization dawns.

Is he the one she claims her heart belongs to? This capro?

The one person who shattered her heart?

My heart clenches in my chest, and I close my eyes tightly, trying to block out the pain.

I can't help but recall the day he visited... The agony etched on her face... Her tears... He wielded so much control over her. He still does. And now I understand why. She's in love with him. She loves him, not me.

The realization tightens the grip on my heart even more.

I reopen my eyes and watch as he-goat walks away, while Spitfire disappears into her apartment building.

Swallowing hard, I finally exit my vehicle, battling with my own hesitation, and approach the building. Maintaining a cautious distance from Spitfire, I can't help but fixate on her every move as she strides ahead.

As she steps into the elevator, I hasten my steps to catch up.

The moment Spitfire catches sight of me entering the elevator, her body tenses, and she averts her gaze almost instantly. My heart sinks further at this rejection. With other people present, there's no opportunity for a private conversation.

Yet, as I step closer to her side, I can't resist the pull of her familiar scent, enveloping me entirely.

Before I can restrain myself, my hand instinctively reaches for hers, our fingers intertwining.

Turning my head to meet her gaze, I find her staring straight ahead, refusing to meet my eyes. Slowly, she withdraws her hand from mine, leaving mine to grow cold with emptiness. Defeated, I divert my gaze away from her.

As the elevator doors open on Spitfire's apartment floor, she strides out into the hallway with purpose, and I follow, keeping a cautious distance. With slow steps, I watch as she approaches her door and reaches for the handle.

Just as she's about to open it, she turns, her gaze locking onto mine. "Why are you here?" Her question feels like a knife to my heart as we stand a few feet apart, locked in silence.

"You've gone back to him?" My voice is barely a whisper, heavy with pain.

Spitfire's lashes flutter, and she nods. "Yeah," she replies softly. "I'm back with Derek. Please, don't come here anymore. Stay away from me."

With that, she disappears into her apartment, the door slamming shut behind her.

As I drive home, her words echo in my mind. She wants me gone, wants me out of her life completely.

I thought we had something, but now I'm filled with regret. Regret for my past actions, for ever getting involved. If only I hadn't abducted her months ago, if only I had never gone to that site.

How do I go on without her now?

***

General POV

After their 'break up', Ethan Moore and Elizabeth Claire both return to living their separate lives-with each passing day, they miss each other greatly. They each feel as though a part of them is missing. However, they can only carry on with their daily routines, albeit with a lingering sadness.

Several weeks have passed since their breakup.

"Do you like this flavor?" Derek asks, holding up a chocolate ice cream cone.

Elizabeth glances at the ice cream and sighs inwardly. Before their breakup, she and Derek had been together for over three years, yet he still doesn't seem to know her preferences.

Elizabeth isn't fond of ice cream at all; she prefers yogurt. Although Susan, her friend, enjoys ice cream, Elizabeth usually only takes a few scoops and leaves the rest. Ice cream just isn't her thing.

Despite her dislike for ice cream, Elizabeth offers Derek a smile as she politely declines his offer. "I don't really feel like it. You can have it."

Grinning, Derek eagerly begins devouring the ice cream.

They stroll through the theme park, searching for a place to sit.

"Hum, Derek, I have something to tell you," Elizabeth begins, noticing a smudge of ice cream at the corner of Derek's mouth.

She winces inwardly, frustrated by his lack of attention to detail. She can't help but compare him to Ethan, making a mental note of their differences. If it were Ethan...

Elizabeth heaves an inaudible sigh at her thoughts. She was comparing Derek to Ethan. Again. She's been doing it since she started seeing Derek. She just can't stop thinking about him. Since that night...

"What is it you want to tell me, baby?" Derek's voice pulls Elizabeth out of her thoughts.

Her brows furrow irritably. Had it been it was before, her heart would be dancing for joy upon hearing the endearment. However, now, Elizabeth just finds it irritating. Now, she wonders how on earth she'd fallen for him back then. Right now, everything he does irritates her.

Hence, the need for this conversation.